The Merry Gentleman (2008)

A woman leaves an abusive relationship to begin a new life in a new city, where she forms an unlikely and ironic relationship with a suicidal hit man (unbeknownst to her). Enter a worn, ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Keaton

Writer:

Ron Lazzeretti

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom Bastounes

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Keaton	...	Frank Logan
Kelly Macdonald	...	Kate Frazier
Tom Bastounes	...	Dave Murcheson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mike Bradecich	...	Jerry
Debbi Burns	...	Office Worker at Christmas Party
Maritza Cabrera	...	Restaurant Patron
Bobby Cannavale	...	Michael
Esther Claire	...	Restaurant Patron
William Dick	...	Mr. Weiss
Jay Disney	...	Drunken Businessman
Mike Falevits	...	Guy at Party #1
Sean Fortunato	...	Ted
Shaun Gayle	...	Doctor
Lori Ann Gerdisch	...	Female Co-Worker
Steven H. Hansen	...	MOB Businessman

Storyline

A woman leaves an abusive relationship to begin a new life in a new city, where she forms an unlikely and ironic relationship with a suicidal hit man (unbeknownst to her). Enter a worn, alcoholic detective to form the third party in a very unusual triangle as this story begins to unfold.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | hitman | abusive husband | abusive relationship | killer | 

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Taglines:

A man with a secret. A woman with a past.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2009 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

A csendes bérgyilkos

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$74,981 (USA) (1 May 2009)

Gross:

$346,286 (USA) (24 July 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jackson Income Fund, Merry Gentleman, South Water Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Unlike the other characters, Frank never asks Kate how she got a black eye.

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Goofs

In the hospital room on Christmas Day, Frank Logan is holding the cup of water in the medium shot, but in the long shots, it is setting on the table.

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Quotes

Kate Frazier: [refering to her abusive husband] "I hope he has found God. I just wish he hadn't found me."

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Crazy Credits

After Frank changes his mind about suicide, a scene plays out over the end credits where he's seen walking off into the distance.

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 4 December 2009 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Jingle Jangle Christmas"
Written by Blaire Reinhard
Performed by Blaire Reinhard

User Reviews

This quiet, slow moving little masterpiece is well worth watching

It's amazing what a good group of actors can do under superior direction. I'd almost forgotten. Usually I favor movies for their story, but this movie's story is a bit light. Still, what's there is made all the more engaging by the terrific performances, starting with the two leads. Kelly MacDonald is especially effective, but so is Michael Keaton who manages to bring some convincing emotional reality to the hit man genre despite having directorial duties to perform as well.

The pace is slow but it's rich with detail and nuance to the point you'll feel as if you're really there. Some movie scenes seem to suspend the reality of the camera and lights for those key moments, but here the entire movie seems unusually realistic and unaffected. It's got to be Keaton's doing which makes me hope he finds another project he'd like to tackle soon. Saw this on DVD tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not for the shallow or those only looking for a laugh. Be attentive and respectful and you'll come away a bit better for the experience.